New traffic signals are in the final stages of being installed in the area around Arkansas Tech University, but that’s not all that is happening around Russellville.

An overpass over the railroad tracks at North Phoenix Avenue is in the early stages, while a multi-family housing unit is in the development process at the old Riverside Furniture Factory location at West Parkway Drive and North Phoenix Avenue.

A new traffic signal is going up at the intersection of North Phoenix Avenue and North Arkansas Avenue. A pre-emption signal has been installed in front of Arkansas Tech University at the North El Paso Avenue extension that leads to West Q Street and the Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center. The pre-emption light will stop traffic and allow fire department vehicles to enter North Arkansas Avenue safely.

City of Russellville Public Works Director Michael Oakes told The Courier these projects are a direct result of taxpayer dollars being put to use.

Oakes said the price tag for this traffic signal project is in the $203,000 range.

He said it seemed like something was always holding this project up but it’s now time to have a structure like this built.

The poles are custom manufactured. It took three months for LEG Enterprises from Cabot to build them, he said.

The weather has delayed the installation of the poles this winter.

Public Works is having these lights installed based on scientific data acquired by counting tests conducted by the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials. Oakes said the commission that verifies the need for traffic control proved they were warranted.

There is more purpose for these lights than people may initially think, he said. The city has planned for both current traffic control and anticipates future traffic as well.

Oakes also told The Courier that a project in the planning stages that will influence the flow and volume of North Phoenix traffic is an overpass over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks near Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center.

He said the need for traffic control is imminent and the biggest reason is the introduction of more traffic on North Phoenix Avenue. Oakes said the project has begun, but it may be a while before a detour route is needed.

City planner David Harris said the Russellville Planning Commission approved a rezoning application submitted by Dave Garza of Barrett and Associates along with Gregg Hall of Tier III properties, on behalf of Dave Dixon and Howard Spradlin, during the Nov. 24, 2012, commissioners meeting.

The rezoning would effectively change the old Riverside Furniture Manufacturing lot at the corner of Parkway and North Phoenix from an M-2 heavy duty zone to a R-3 multi-family zone that would allow the construction of housing.